Classical Theism Podcast

Is the Old Testament actually true? Why read the Old Testament when we have the New Testament? Doesn't the Old Testament endorse polygamy and slavery? Can we still defend Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch? Dr. Jeffrey Morrow is back on the show to dive into these topics.

How does pop culture relate to evangelism and apologetics? What is the Voyage podcast and how do they seek to spread the Good News through recognizing "seeds of the Word"? Mike Schramm, a co-host of the Voyage podcast, joins us to discuss these ideas. 

Do the Gospels reliably transmit Jesus's teaching? How is this possible when they are recorded decades after the events? Could people actually have remembered the Sermon on the Mount? Also, why should we think what the Gospels present is actually true? Gary Michuta joins us to discuss these topics.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help...

What does Scripture say about Christ's atonement? What is penal substitution theory and what is wrong with it? What theories of atonement work best from a Catholic perspective? Dr. John Joy, Chris Plance, and Michael Gormley join the show for a roundtable discussion on these topics. The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guest...

What should students study in the science classroom? How might this look different in a Catholic school compared to an American public school? Is naturalism reinforced by the way science is taught in many schools? Is it possible to teach biology in a pedagogically responsible way yet without disrespecting those who hold religious views about creation? Dr. Kenneth Kemp joins us to discuss these top...

I sat down with Jake Buscher of the  Cutting the Gordian Knot  podcast to discuss my recent debated on Deuteronomy 21.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of the Catholic Christian worldview: (1) the God of classical theism exists, (2) Jesus is our Messiah and Lord, and (3) He founded the Cat...

What is classical theism? What makes it distinct from theism in general? How should we answer common charges that classical theism makes God cold, distant, and unloving? Is there accuracy to the charge that classical theism is based purely on Greek philosophy as opposed to Scripture? What should we make of the confusion over terminology, specifically regarding "theistic personalism", "neo-classica...

Are the captive bride verses in Deuteronomy 21:10-14 an example of sanctioned immorality in the Old Testament? Are the passages the writings of mere men and not inspired by God? Dana Harper joins me to debate these issues.  Format:  Opening Statements (8-10 minutes each) Open Dialogue (30-40 minutes) Closing Statements (1-2 minutes) Show notes will be found at:  https://www.classicaltheism.com/deu...

Can the Church ever reverse her teaching? How can we define the notion of a magisterial reversal and what doctrines constitute potential candidates for this? Did the Church reverse her teaching that "Outside the Church, there is no salvation"? Michael Lofton joins us to discuss these topics. ______________________________________________________ If you like the show, consider becoming a financial...

What are the origins of modern gender theory? What philosophical positions lie behind the modern gender movements? How can we critique these theories philosophically? What can Christian metaphysics put in place of these theories? Dr. Abigail Favale joins the podcast to discuss these topics.

What is Catholic education? Why is it in need of renewal? Can't we learn the methods of science and mathematics in a secular setting? If so, how would Catholic education view these subjects differently? Dr. Alex Lessard joins us to discuss these topics.  Toward the end, Dr. Lessard gives details about an upcoming conference with many Catholic speakers including Edward Feser. Listeners who go to th...

What is the apparent conflict between Dignitatis Humanae and 19th-century Papal teaching? What is Michael Dunnigan's solution to the conflict? How can we properly reconcile particular passages in Quanta Cura with Dignitatis Humanae? Dr. Michael Dunnigan joins the show again to discuss these topics.

What is the important terminology to know in discussions on gender? Is gender merely a social construct? What does the evidence say regarding differences between males and females? How should Catholic schools respond to gender issues? How should Catholics respond/react to friends that identify as transgender? Jason Evert joins us to discuss these topics and his new book Male, Female, Other? A Cath...

How can we know when a Pope has spoken infallibly? What are the conditions that must be met? Did Pope Leo XIII speak infallibly in Providentissimus Deus? Did the Pope speak infallibly in Humanae Vitae or Evangelium Vitae? What should we make of the "manifestly evident" criterion in canon law? Dr. John Joy returns to the show to discuss these topics as we look at his recent book  Disputed Questions...

Is the Kalam cosmological argument sound? In particular, is there a successful philosophical argument for the finitude of the past? Jordan Carstensen (grad student at Holy Apostles College) argues in the affirmative. Jimmy Akin, who affirms the scientific evidence supporting the Kalam, argues that philosophical arguments for a finite past do not work. This episode consists of a dialogue between Ji...

Pat Flynn and I discuss the life and legacy of Dr. Kevin Vost. We mention the aspects of his character and his work that drew us to him. Pat shares a few personal stories, and John explains Dr. Vost's morning routine before writing. Further resources and his books can be found at https://www.classicaltheism.com/vost  

Why think the Gospels present truthful testimony? What are undesigned coincidences and how to they point to Gospel authenticity? How can we harmonize discrepancies in Gospel accounts? Dr. Lydia McGrew joins us to discuss these topics and more.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of the Cathol...

What are you really? What is a person? How can reason and science shed light on these questions? How can persons originate? Dr. Josh Rasmussen joins us to discuss his new book-length investigation into these topics.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of the Catholic Christian worldview: (1)...

Who really wrote the Pentateuch? What are the arguments for the Documentary Hypothesis? Why don't those arguments succeed? What evidence supports an ancient Pentateuch? Dr. John Bergsma joins us to address these topics.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of the Catholic Christian worldview:...

What are persons? Why are persons "irreducible" and what does that mean? Can we argue from human persons to the existence of God? What was the De Auxilius debate and where does Dr. Spencer come down on that in his book? We discuss these topics and more.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the help of various guests, I defend three pillars of...

Why are there so many different Catholic Bible translations? How did the Catholic ESV come about? Why is an essentially literal translation come about? Dr. Mark Giszczak joins the show to discuss these questions and mroe.

What is metaphysics? How does a Thomist approach God's existence? Can one prove God's existence using the real distinction between essences and their acts of existence? How does Dr. Kerr respond to several objections including the issue of existential inertia? We tackle these topics and more in the episode.  The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With...

What is God? What did St. Thomas Aquinas teach about the nature of God in the prima pars? Could God reveal someone's entire future to them? Dr. Kevin Vost joins us to discuss his brand new book out titled  What is God?  www.classicaltheism.com/episodes

Were Adam and Eve REAL? Why is this an important topic for young people? Gary Michuta and I discuss the topic in some detail. 

What did the First Vatican Council teach about faith and reason? How do Thomists parse the act of faith? How does the Vatican Council's account of faith and reason fit well with Thomistic hylomorphic dualism over and against Descartes' view? Dr. Gaven Kerr joins the podcast again to discuss these issues. The Classical Theism Podcast aims to defend Catholic Christian ideas in conversation. With the...